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FBI couldn't get into WaPo reporter's iPhone because Lockdown Mode enabled

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Re: FBI couldn't get into WaPo reporter's iPhone because Lockdown Mode enabled

#51

Post by pc86 »

JasonADrury wrote: post #20
_qua wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What do you think warrants are? You think they get a warrant and they say, "Can you put your finger on the device?" You say, "No," and that's it? If all they wanted to do was ask you, they would just ask you without the warrant.

I think you should simply try to read the warrant in question.

Perhaps you should? From pages 20 and 22:

> 52. These warrants would also permit law enforcement to obtain from Natanson the display of physical biometric characteristics (e.g., fingerprint, thumbprint, or facial characteristics) in order to unlock devices subject to search and seizure pursuant to the above referenced warrants

> 60. Accordingly, if law enforcement personnel encounter a device that is subject to search and seizure pursuant to the requested warrants and may be unlocked using one of the aforementioned biometric features, the requested warrants would permit law enforcement personnel to (1) press or swipe the fingers (including thumbs) of the Subject to the fingerprint scanner of the device(s); or (2) hold the devices in front of the Subject's face for the purpose of attempting to unlock the device(s) in order to search the contents as authorized by the warrants

So yes law enforcement had the right to grab her hand and press it against the laptop to unlock before seizing it if that's what they had to do.

[0] https://www.rcfp.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-30-I...

Re: FBI couldn't get into WaPo reporter's iPhone because Lockdown Mode enabled

#53

Post by forgotaccount3 »

bawolff wrote: post #37
bob001 wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Takeaway is to not enable biometric unlock if you are concerned about your data being accessed by authorities.

So in america, they can force you to use a biometric but they can't compel you to reveal your password? I mean, i agree with you, but its a really weird line in the sand to draw

One is knowledge the user has, and the other is a physical key they own.

Providing your 'finger' to unlock a device is no different than providing your 'key' to unlock something. So you can be compelled to provide those biometrics.

Compelling you to reveal a password is not some *thing* you have but knowledge you contain. Being compelled to provide that knowledge is no different than being compelled to reveal where you were or what you were doing at some place or time.

Re: FBI couldn't get into WaPo reporter's iPhone because Lockdown Mode enabled

#54

Post by Joel_Mckay »

pc86 wrote: post #23
hnrayst wrote: post #4

[flagged]

Serious question: What are the "valid concerns" about people securing their computing devices against third parties?

Some platforms will side-load anything the telecom carrier sends.

It is naive to assume iOS can be trusted much more than Android. =3

Re: FBI couldn't get into WaPo reporter's iPhone because Lockdown Mode enabled

#55

Post by ExpertAdvisor01 »

bawolff wrote: post #37
bob001 wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Takeaway is to not enable biometric unlock if you are concerned about your data being accessed by authorities.

So in america, they can force you to use a biometric but they can't compel you to reveal your password? I mean, i agree with you, but its a really weird line in the sand to draw

Germany does the same thing too . They can force you to unlock via faceid/biometric but can't force you to enter password.

Re: FBI couldn't get into WaPo reporter's iPhone because Lockdown Mode enabled

#57

Post by bob001 »

benterix wrote: post #48
bawolff wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So in america, they can force you to use a biometric but they can't compel you to reveal your password? I mean, i agree with you, but its a really weird line in the sand to draw

> So in america, they can force you to use a biometric but they can't compel you to reveal your password? I don't get it, touching finger is easy, but how do you compel someone to reveal their password?

The UK simply puts you in jail for not doing so.

Re: FBI couldn't get into WaPo reporter's iPhone because Lockdown Mode enabled

#59

Post by coldpie »

Jensson wrote: post #49
boston_clone wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Both of your comments here, posted just one minute apart yet with completely different content, reek of LLM output.

People probably didn't see the other post, but both posts are several paragraphs and posted the same minute. No human would do that. Its also a new account that only posted these two posts.

Good spot, thanks for pointing it out. I normally don't like the LLM accusation posts, but two posts from a brand new user in the same minute is a pretty huge red flag for bad behavior.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46886472

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46886470

Re: FBI couldn't get into WaPo reporter's iPhone because Lockdown Mode enabled

#60

Post by H8crilA »

throwmeaway820 wrote: post #12

It seems unfortunate that enhanced protection against physically attached devices requires enabling a mode that is much broader, and sounds like it has a noticeable impact on device functionality. I never attach my iPhone to anything that's not a power source. I would totally enable an "enhanced protection for external accessories" mode. But I'm not going to enable a general "Lockdown mode" that Apple tells me means…

GrapheneOS does this by default - only power delivery when locked. Also it's a hardware block, not software. Seems to be completely immune to these USB exploit tools.
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